An attack struck the Saudi-owned oil tanker “Encelia” on Wednesday, sparking a fire at the bow while sailing through the Red Sea, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Why it matters: All crew members escaped unharmed. Still, the strike shows how exposed Red Sea shipping remains to regional threats.
Driving the News: SPA cited an official source at the Transport General Authority (TGA), who confirmed the crew’s safety. Saudi broadcaster Al Ekhbariya separately reported the strike. It hit the vessel about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al-Shuqaiq, on the Kingdom’s west coast.
Saudi agencies moved quickly after the blast. They secured the vessel, protected its crew, and safeguarded the marine environment, the TGA source said.
“Such attacks violate international law,” the official told SPA, adding they breach “established norms that guarantee the safety of commercial shipping and its crews.”
SPA did not name the attacker. However, the Arab Coalition described a related incident in a separate statement carried by SPA.
State of play: Coalition forces recently foiled an attempt to strike shipping south of the Red Sea. Militants used an explosive-laden boat, spokesman Colonel Turki Al-Maliki said. Forces destroyed the boat before it hit its target. Still, fragments caused minor damage to a nearby merchant vessel, Al-Maliki added.
This incident follows the Houthis’ declaration of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The Iran-backed group framed the move as retaliation for what it called an “unjust and oppressive siege” on Yemen.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry firmly rejected that accusation and called the claims false, reaffirming the Kingdom’s support for Yemen’s legitimate government.
The ministry said more than 300 commercial vessels had docked at Houthi-controlled ports during the first half of 2026 alone. Those ships carried food, fuel, and construction materials, undercutting Houthi claims of a Saudi-imposed siege, officials argued.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said forces had begun new protection measures for ships crossing the Bab El-Mandeb Strait. “All Houthi threats against transiting vessels will be dealt with swiftly and firmly,” he said, calling them acts of “maritime piracy.”
Upholding International Law and Sovereignty
The big picture: Red Sea shipping lanes carry a major share of global trade. Any threat to tankers therefore ripples quickly through energy markets and insurance costs. Saudi Arabia increasingly relies on this route as an alternative corridor.
Riyadh has separately urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, demanding full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Chief among them are Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on Red Sea navigation rights.
Saudi Arabia also affirmed it will take all necessary measures to protect its ships. These steps will align with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, officials said.
Meanwhile, Saudi authorities continue coordinating with the Arab Coalition and international maritime bodies to deter further attacks. Officials have not yet confirmed who caused Wednesday’s fire, and investigations remain ongoing.
Bottom line: Saudi Arabia acted fast to secure the Encelia and its crew. Meanwhile, it is standing firm against the Houthi blockade threat, pressing global partners to enforce maritime law amid growing Red Sea risks.
